Amusement game with rotating target

ABSTRACT

An amusement game with a rotating target displays different targets to players on opposing teams. Players on each team throw objects at the targets to score points. The rotating target includes sensors that sense if the object hits the target.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of amusement games. More particularly, the present invention relates to an amusement game wherein a player throws an object at a target including a plurality of faces, each with a unique target configuration that rotates between turns, allowing players to throw at more than one target configuration during the course of a game.

BACKGROUND

Coin operated amusement games where a player throws an object at a target are known in the art. Typically, such games are placed against a wall, thereby providing an upright target at which the object may be thrown. Most coin operated amusement games for bars and arcades were developed as adaptations of popular games played elsewhere. Examples of existing target games include dart boards and automatic basketball games. Target games such as those previously described may be played by one or more player simultaneously. In the case of the automatic basketball game, arcades often have multiple games arranged side by side to allow players to compete against each other at the same time.

Beer pong is a popular drinking game that takes the concept of a target game and adds the social elements of teams and, in the case of traditional beer bong, drinking Typically, beer pong includes two teams of players and is played on and around a free-standing table. Each team has a grouping of target cups partially filled with beer, arranged in a triangular pattern at the opposite end of the table from where the team stands. The teams alternate throwing ping pong balls at the target cups. When a player successfully throws a ball into one of the cups, a player on the opposing team removes the cup from the pattern. The team that successfully clears the cups wins the game.

Existing beer pong games have a number of limitations that prohibit the game from being played as a coin-operated amusement game. First, typical beer pong games require that the players arrange loose cups in formation at either side of the table and partially fill those cups with beer. Second, when a player successfully throws a ball into a cup, a player on the opposing team must pick up the cup and drink its contents thereby removing the cup from the field of play. It should be apparent that providing loose cups to players to use in a bar or arcade environment would be problematic. The cups would inevitably get dirty, lost, broken, etc., causing the maintenance and attention needed to be paid to such a game to be prohibitive. Second, if the cups were to be filled with beer, as is typical in beer pong games, the cups would be prone to spilling, requiring constant cleaning by the bar or arcade operator. It is simply not feasible to have an arcade amusement game that includes loose cups and/or liquid.

Thus, there is a need for an amusement game that captures the team aspect of beer pong, but eliminates the messiness of the game.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to an amusement game wherein teams of players throw objects at a target that rotates between turns to display a plurality of target configurations. The amusement game includes a cabinet having a target apparatus that is rotatably attached to the cabinet. The target apparatus has a plurality of faces, each of which includes at least one target. Each target include es a sensor for sensing when an object hits the target. A motor is attached to the target apparatus that rotates the target apparatus to display one of the faces to a player.

In one embodiment of the invention that emulates the game play of beer pong, the target apparatus is a platform having two target faces. Attached to each target face is an array of target cups arranged in a triangular pattern. The target apparatus is centrally located between two ends of the cabinet so that players on opposing teams may throw from opposite ends of the cabinet. After one team has completed a turn throwing balls at one array of target cups, the target apparatus rotates to display the other array of target cups to the team at the other end of the cabinet. At the bottom of each target cup, is a sensor that senses if a ball passes through the cup. A game controller scores a point for either team when one of its players throws a ball into one of the cups and displays the results on at least one screen located in the cabinet.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can lead to certain other objectives. Other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in this summary and descriptions of the disclosed embodiment, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above as taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment an amusement game with rotating target in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the amusement game of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side section view of the amusement game of FIG. 1 taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the amusement game of FIG. 1 taken generally along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a detail perspective view of the rotating target of the amusement game of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the amusement game of FIG. 1 taken generally along the line 6-6 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an amusement game with rotating target in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the amusement game of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, one embodiment of an amusement game 100 in accordance with the invention is shown. The amusement game 100 includes a cabinet 102 that players stand around. The cabinet 102 has a top 104 and two ends 106 where players stand to play the game. In the embodiment shown, the cabinet 102 is generally box shaped and is long enough and wide enough to accommodate teams of players positioned at each end 106. Of course, the size and shape of the cabinet 102 may vary to accommodate installations in a wide variety of spaces without departing from the invention. In the embodiment shown, access doors 108 are provided on the side of the cabinet 102 to allow access to the inside of the cabinet. Each end 106 includes a ball return hole 110 for delivering a ball 128 to a player after the ball is thrown at a target 124. A rotating target apparatus 114 is centrally located on the cabinet and includes a plurality of faces 115, each of which includes at least one target 124. In the embodiment shown, the targets 124 are ten cups 116 positioned in a triangular pattern like typical beer pong game. Of course, alternative target configurations may be used without departing from the invention. Additionally, the targets 124 may be engaged by the ball 128 so that the ball need not pass through the target 124 in order to score.

A controller 111 controls all aspects of the amusement game 100 including but not limited to scoring, payment, sounds, lights, and position of the rotating target apparatus 114. In the embodiment shown, the controller is a computer program that may be stored on any suitable computer that includes memory and a central processing unit (CPU). In the embodiment shown, the controller 111 is located inside the cabinet.

In the embodiment shown, one end 106 of the cabinet 102 includes a coin/bill/card acceptor 112 which accepts payment to enable the start of a game. The game 100 can also be configured to operate without payment or by alternative payment means without departing from the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the amusement game 100 in accordance with the invention. A screen 122 is located near each end 106, which shows game information to the players. Some examples of game information may include a representation of a target 124, the current score of the game, number of credits left, high scores, etc. Additionally, when the game 100 is not being played, advertising or other marketing material may be shown on the screens 122. Near at least one screen 122 is a plurality of buttons 120 that allow a player to configure the game and perform other functions. In the embodiment shown, the buttons 120 are typical push buttons found on arcade games. Alternatively, the screen 122 may have interactive touch capability or other input means, which may eliminate the need for buttons 120. A gutter 130 is positioned under and around the rotating target apparatus 114. On either side of the gutter 130 and spanning the length thereof is a shield 118 (see FIG. 1) that prevents errant throws from escaping the cabinet 102 and directing such errant throws into the gutter 130. In the embodiment shown, the shield 118 is made of a generally transparent, substantially rigid material such as Plexiglas but any suitable material such as glass or netting may be used without departing from the invention.

Turning now to FIGS. 3-5, a rotating target apparatus is shown. In the embodiment shown, the rotating target apparatus 114 includes a ramp 148 that directs a ball 128 that passes through a cup 116 into the gutter 130 so that it may be returned to the next thrower. In an alternative embodiment, rather an including a ramp 148 between the cups 116, the cups on either side of the rotating target apparatus 114 may be attached to each other at the bottoms so that when a ball enters one cup 116, it passes through the bottom and out the cup on the opposite side of the rotating table. In yet another embodiment, the cups 116 may have their bottoms intact so that any balls 128 thrown into cups would fall out only after the rotating target apparatus 114 rotates to begin the next turn.

A motor 140 is connected to the rotating target apparatus 114 and causes it to rotate about an axle 138. As shown, the axle 138 passes horizontally through the rotating target apparatus 114, but alternative axle orientations may be used without departing from the invention. The motor 140 drives the rotating target apparatus 114 by a belt 142 and two pulleys 144. The belt 142 is a timing belt and the pulleys 144 are timing belt pulleys. Using a timing belt along with timing belt pulleys allows consistent turning of the rotating target apparatus 114 in either direction. Alternately, the motor 140 may be directly connected to the rotating target apparatus 114 by a driveshaft, a system of gears, or any other suitable method without departing from the invention. In the embodiment shown, the controller controls the position of the rotating target apparatus 114. Similarly to electronic dart boards that sense the number of throws in a designated turn and automatically commence a new turn, when the controller in the present invention determines that a turn has been completed, the computer turns on the motor 140 for a predetermined period of time, rotating the rotating target apparatus 114 one hundred eighty degrees. In the embodiment shown, the motor 140 is a typical brushless electric motor, but any suitable motor may be used without departing from the invention. Other suitable motors may include but are not limited to stepper motors or servo motors. Of course, if the rotating target apparatus 114 has more than two target surfaces, the controller can operate the motor 140 in either direction and for more or less time as desired to achieve the degrees of rotation called for by the game.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a detail view of the rotating target apparatus 114 is shown. The rotating target apparatus 114 is positioned between the ends 106 and comprises a target 124 at which the players will throw the ball 128. In the embodiment shown, the target 124 includes ten cups 116 arranged in a generally triangular pattern. The pattern is repeated on both the top and bottom of the rotating target apparatus 114. In alternative embodiments, the rotating table could have targets on a third or fourth side and may have any pattern. Additionally, the rotating table may have more than four sides, allowing a wide variety of target shapes and sizes. Returning to the embodiment shown, the bottoms of the cups 116 are removed, allowing the ball 128 to pass through the cups. Near the open bottom of each cup 116 is a cup sensor 117 (See FIG. 4) that senses when a ball passes through the cup, scoring a point for the team throwing at the target. In the embodiment shown, the cup sensor 117 is an infrared sensor, but any suitable sensor may be used without departing form the invention.

At the bottom of the gutter 130 is a gutter sensor that senses when a ball 128 passes into the ball return tube 134. If the sensor at the base of the gutter 130 senses a ball before one of the cup sensors 117, the computer understands that a missed shot has occurred. On the other hand, if one of the cup sensors 117 senses a ball 128 pass through a cup before the ball passes the gutter sensor, the controller understands that a shot has been successful. Each cup sensor 117 sends a discrete signal to the controller so that the controller can understand which cup 116 the ball 128 has passed through. Unlike a basketball arcade game where the only target is a hoop, in the present invention, once a ball 128 passes through a cup 116, a point is scored, but the cup is no longer “in play” meaning that another ball passing through the same cup will not score a point. In alternative embodiments, which cups are “live” may be change during the game, with the in-play cups being shown on the screen 122.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a ball return mechanism is shown in accordance with the invention. It is more likely than not that a player's throw of the ball 128 will not pass through a cup 116 because the cup openings are small and located far enough away that a successful shot is difficult. Thus, there is a need for a ball return system to catch and return the ball 128 to the team whose turn it is next, whether or not the ball landed in a cup 116 or in the gutter 130. The same ball retrieval system can be used to return a ball 128 that passes through a cup 116 as well as a ball that lands in the gutter 130. In the embodiment shown, a thrown ball 128, whether it passes through a cup 128 or not, falls into the gutter 130 which is the beginning of the ball retrieval system. The gutter 130 is sloped to direct the ball 128 to a ball return tube 134. In the embodiment shown, the ball return tube 134 is centrally located with respect to the length of the game 100, but it may be anywhere in the cabinet 102 without departing from the invention. The ball return tube 142 is a system of tubular bodies that allow passage of the ball 128 from the gutter 130 to the ball return holes 110. A diverter 132 inside the ball return tube 134 directs the ball 128 in the direction of the next throwing team. The diverter 132 moves to selectively block and/or open part of the ball return tube 134. Once the ball 128 passes the diverter 132, in this embodiment the ball is blown by forced air generated by a fan 136 into one of the ball return holes 110. Of course, any suitable ball return mechanism may be used without departing from the invention. One example of an alternative ball return mechanism may be to include a ball return mechanism that relies only on gravity to return the ball 128 to the ball return hole 110.

FIGS. 7-8 show an alternative embodiment of an amusement game with rotating target 200, with the cabinet 202 configured to be placed against a wall 300 and for each team to throw from the same end 206. As shown, a rotating target apparatus 214 is located toward end 206 and includes a plurality of faces 215, each of which includes at least one target 224. Of course, alternative cabinet embodiments may be used without departing from the invention. Like the previous embodiment described, the rotating target apparatus 214 rotates about an axis to display one of the plurality of faces 215 to a player. After a ball (not shown) is thrown at the target 224, it drops into a gutter 230 that directed the ball into a ball return is also included that returns a thrown ball to a ball return hole 210 where it may be retrieved by a player. Near the ball return hole is a coin/bill/card acceptor 212 which accepts payment to enable the start of a game. The embodiment shown also includes a display 220 that may display the score of the game or any other information desired. A player may configure and control the game using a plurality of buttons 220 located on the top surface of the cabinet 202. As in the previous embodiment, any alternative configuration or control means including but not limited to a touchscreen may replace the buttons 220 without departing from the invention.

Although the invention has been herein described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the appended claims and the description of the invention herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An amusement game for use with at least one object for throwing at a target, the amusement game comprising: a cabinet; a controller that controls the gameplay of the amusement game mounted in relation to the cabinet; a target apparatus rotatably attached to the cabinet and having a plurality of faces, each face having at least one target through which the object must pass to score; a motor attached to the target apparatus that selectively rotates the target apparatus to display one of the faces to a first player; and a sensor near each target that senses the object passing through the target.
 2. The amusement game of claim 1, wherein the cabinet further includes a return mechanism for returning the object thrown at the target to a second player.
 3. The amusement game of claim 1, wherein each target is a cup.
 4. The amusement game of claim 1, wherein the target apparatus rotates to display a different face upon the completion of the player's turn.
 5. The amusement game of claim 1, wherein each face includes a unique array of targets.
 6. The amusement game of claim 1, wherein the target apparatus is attached to a motor by a timing belt and timing pulleys.
 7. The amusement game of claim 1, wherein the target apparatus is attached to a motor by a gear set.
 8. The amusement game of claim 1, wherein the target apparatus is attached directly to a driveshaft of a motor.
 9. The amusement game of claim 1, wherein the cabinet further includes at least one screen showing game related information.
 10. The amusement game of claim 9, wherein the controller deactivates a target after an object has passed through the target.
 11. The amusement game of claim 9, wherein the controller displays targets that are active on the screen.
 12. An amusement game to be used with at least one throwable object, the amusement game comprising: a cabinet; a controller mounted to the cabinet and controlling the gameplay of the amusement game; a target apparatus rotatably attached to the cabinet and having a plurality of faces, each face having at least one target with which the object must engage to score; a motor selectively rotating the target apparatus to display one of the faces to a player; and a sensor near each target that senses when the object engages with the target.
 13. The amusement game of claim 12, wherein the cabinet further includes a return mechanism for returning the object thrown at the target to the player.
 14. The amusement game of claim 12, wherein the target apparatus rotates to display a different face upon the completion of the player's turn.
 15. The amusement game of claim 12, wherein each face includes a unique array of targets.
 16. The amusement game of claim 12, wherein the motor rotates the target apparatus by means of a timing belt and timing pulleys.
 17. The amusement game of claim 12, wherein the motor rotates the target apparatus by means of a gear set.
 18. The amusement game of claim 12, wherein the motor has a driveshaft, and the motor rotates the target apparatus by means of the driveshaft being directly connected to the target apparatus.
 19. The amusement game of claim 12, wherein the cabinet further includes at least one screen showing game related information.
 20. The amusement game of claim 19, wherein the controller deactivates a target after an object has passed through the target.
 21. The amusement game of claim 20, wherein the controller displays targets that are active on the screen. 